Former President Barack Obama will join Ohio's Democratic Senate nominee Sherrod Brown and gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton at a Cleveland rally on Oct. 24, injecting star power into two of the most closely watched races this midterm cycle. The event comes just over a week before the Nov. 3 election, with both contests tightening in a state that has drifted rightward in recent years.
Brown, a former U.S. senator, is challenging Republican incumbent Jon Husted, who was appointed to the Senate by Gov. Mike DeWine after JD Vance vacated the seat to become Vice President. Acton, a former state health director, faces biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy in the governor's race. Both Republican candidates have drawn strong backing from President Trump, who campaigned in Ohio on Monday, focusing much of his speech on attacking Democrats rather than detailing policy.
In a video released by Brown's campaign on Tuesday, Obama praised Brown as a champion for working families and credited him with fostering job growth during his presidency. “This race is going to be close,” Obama said. “It could determine which party controls the Senate and whether Ohioans can count on the people in Washington to be fighting for you.”
The former president's visit underscores the national stakes. Forecasters at Decision Desk HQ currently give Democrats a 77% chance of retaking the House and a 56% chance of flipping the Senate, but Ohio remains a battleground where recent polls show razor-thin margins. Obama's presence is intended to energize the Democratic base in a state that has not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 2012.
Obama has been an active surrogate for Democrats across the country this cycle. On the same day as the Cleveland rally, he is scheduled to appear in Michigan on the first day of in-person early voting to support Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson. His efforts mirror the scandals that have dogged Trump's inner circle, which have become a recurring theme on the campaign trail.
The Ohio races have also drawn attention for their policy contrasts. Brown has focused on economic populism, while Acton has emphasized public health and education. Ramaswamy, a political newcomer, has campaigned on a platform of national renewal, and Husted has stressed his experience in state government. The tightening governor's race has prompted both parties to pour resources into the state.
Obama's endorsement could provide a boost in a state where his approval ratings remain relatively high among Democrats, but analysts caution that enthusiasm alone may not be enough to overcome the state's Republican lean. Brown's campaign has sought to tie Husted to the most controversial elements of the Trump agenda, while Acton has positioned herself as a pragmatic leader who can appeal to independent voters.
With control of the Senate potentially hinging on Ohio, Obama's appearance is a clear signal of the Democratic Party's investment in the state. The former president's ability to draw large crowds and generate media attention could help narrow the enthusiasm gap, but the outcome will ultimately depend on turnout and the candidates' ability to sway undecided voters in the final stretch.
